Trials of Love (One - Shots)

It's Not A Goodbye

Hello Fam.

I am in the process to change my writing pattern, the reason why it's taking a bit time to complete my stories. Even this one, I have planned to publish it on the Independence day but it took some time to finish.

Anyways, feel free to suggest any changes or corrections so that I can rewrite it.

Happy Reading...

Manik Malhotra woke up to the sound of the birds chirping. He searched his mobile to look at the time. 6.05 am. Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened it again. He was still half asleep but he would rather spend the day the way he planned instead of lying in bed till afternoon. As he made his way to the attached balcony, yawning, there was a list of things replaying that he has to complete by the end of the day. He pushed every thought aside to look at the sunrise. Manik loved sunrises.

The first rays of sunlight were forcing its way from the clouds that were covering them. The thought struck him rather hard and he was wide awake. The sun was doing its duty today, like the past 4.5 billion years, without letting its intruders, the clouds, the rain, and the atmosphere, stop it. We as humans have our duties to perform without stepping back. He let the thought sink in his head while he continued to watch the rising sun.

He took a long shower to calm himself down before leaving his room. His two-bedroom apartment was oddly quiet but there was whole chaos inside his head as he made his way to the kitchen. There standing was his wife of two years. Nandini. She didn't feel his presence until he snaked his arms around her waist. She got startled for a moment before relaxing back again as Manik placed a light kiss on her cheek.

"Good morning", he whispered, not wanting to ruin the peace of their little abode.

"Morning", she said, going back to the onions. "Coffee?"

"No", he said. "I just want to hold you for some time", he added after a few minutes. She answered with a slight nod without stopping her work. Manik rested his chin on her shoulder, breathing in her scent. It felt more like memorizing how it felt to hold her in his arms. He tightened his hold on her, almost painfully. Almost. "I am leaving tomorrow." There, he said the one thing that was bugging him for a week.

He held his breath waiting for her outburst as he saw the knife slipping from her hand before she composed herself, gave him a slight nod and went back to cutting the onions. "You already knew?", he asked. That could be the only reason for her to be calm. He loosened his grip on her and let her turn around to face him.

"I saw the papers", she said.

"You read them?", he asked with a frown on his face.

"I know what those papers are, Manik. I don't need to read them", she said. It was as simple as that.

"You are not angry?", he asked even though he knew the answer.

"Why?", she smiled and looked at him as if he were a child.

"Because I am leaving." Wasn't it obvious? Why was she acting this way? he thought to himself.

She sighed before taking his hand into hers. "I can't force you to stay, Manik. I don't want to", she said. "This is your priority and it always will be. You made it clear from day one."

He wrapped his hands around her. How could he not love this woman? She had been there for him in every decision of his, in his every crests and trough beside him, supporting and encouraging him to be a better person. Even if they had an arranged marriage and he was skeptical to share his life with her during their first meeting, she warmed up to his heart just after a few months. He loved her. He didn't say it aloud often but he repeated it in his head every chance he got and she gave him all the more reason to love her. Just like today, when she accepted him for what he was without a question, without any expectations.